Gators rise in one poll, drop in another

The Gators got a much needed bye week following a loss to Miami. Despite not being on the field last Saturday, Florida still moved in both the AP and Coaches Polls. Florida fell one spot to No. 19 according to the Associated Press. Coincidently, the Gators were moved up two spots from No. 20 to No. 18 in the Coaches Poll.

While it makes sense for the rankings and polls to be released every week, I wouldn’t put much stock – none actually – into where the Gators are ranked this week. The loss to Miami stings, yes, but it doesn’t have any weight or consequence on Florida’s ultimate goal this season – a trip to Atlanta for a shot at the SEC Championship.

Florida kicks off their gauntlet SEC schedule this week with Tennessee. A win over the Vols puts Florida at 1-0 in the SEC and a trip to Kentucky next week should give the Gators a comfortable 2-0 SEC record with games against Arkansas, LSU, Georgia and South Carolina still on the docket. What I’m getting at is that the number you’ll see next to Florida’s name on television this week is completely irrelevant. The Gators are still, today, the masters of their own destiny. They control their own fate.

Win football games and that number will get smaller and smaller, lose football games and it will disappear all together. It’s simple. Take care of business on Saturday and everything else will fall into place.

A South Florida native, Nick developed a passion for all things sports at a very young age. His love for baseball was solidified when he saw Al Leiter’s no-hitter for the Marlins live in May of 1996. He was able to play baseball in college but quickly realized there isn’t much of a market for short, slow outfielders that hit around the Mendoza line. Wanting to continue with sports in some capacity he studied journalism at the University of Central Florida. Nick got his first start in the business as an intern for a website covering all things related to the NFL draft before spending two seasons covering the Florida football team at Bleacher Report. That job led him to GatorCountry. When he isn’t covering Gator sports, Nick enjoys hitting way too many shots on the golf course, attempting to keep up with his favorite t.v. shows and watching the Heat, Dolphins and Marlins. Follow him on twitter @NickdelatorreGC

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